Game Overview
A hand-drawn journey through Slavic folklore gives Catmaze a mood that is equal parts enchanting, mournful, and threatening. Young sorceress Alesta searches for a way to save her mother after the balance between the worlds of the living and the dead is disturbed by a cat’s impossible choice. Her route winds through misty marshes, old villages, tangled forests, and other places where legends are not stories but dangerous neighbors. Boggarts, kikimoras, mermaids, and stranger spirits fill a dark fairy-tale setting that feels distinct from the usual medieval fantasy RPG.
Play follows a classic metroidvania structure built around 2D exploration, platforming, combat, and frequent returns to earlier areas. Alesta gains spells, movement options, and access to magical familiars, summoned companions that bring different attacks and utility skills into battle. Choosing the right familiar matters during both ordinary encounters and demanding boss fights, while RPG-style stat development lets players lean toward their preferred approach. Progress often comes from spotting an unreachable path, acquiring a new ability elsewhere, then revisiting the maze-like world to uncover shortcuts, secrets, and optional tasks. Saving only at designated locations adds real tension to deeper expeditions, especially when a boss waits ahead.
Slavic mythology is the clear selling point here, but Catmaze does more than borrow creature names: its characters, locations, and bosses are rooted in folktale atmosphere and personal tragedies. Side quests carry narrative weight, with player decisions influencing how Alesta’s story resolves rather than merely providing extra rewards. The pixel-art presentation is expressive and colorful even when the story turns bleak, giving its haunted landscapes a memorable storybook quality. Fans of Castlevania-style exploration, especially players who enjoy the nonlinear discovery of Metroid or Hollow Knight but want a folklore-driven setting, find plenty to enjoy; newcomers should simply be ready for deliberate backtracking and limited save points.
Screenshots
Installation
- Click the green button below to be redirected to UploadHaven.
- Wait 15 seconds, then hit “Free Download.” (Free downloads may be slower — upgrade to UploadHaven Pro for faster speeds.)
- Once downloaded, right-click the .zip file and choose “Extract to Catmaze.” (You’ll need 7-Zip for this.)
- Open the extracted folder and run the game as administrator.
- Enjoy! 🎮 If you see missing DLL errors, check the _Redist folder inside and install what’s needed.
System Requirements
- OS: Windows 7
- Processor: Dual Core 2.4 Ghz
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: Hardware Accelerated Graphics with dedicated memory
- Storage: 350 MB available space
Setup Guide & Troubleshooting
How do I fix missing DLL errors for Catmaze (v1.08)?
After extracting Catmaze (v1.08), navigate to the _Redist or _CommonRedist folder inside the game directory and install DirectX, Vcredist, and any other dependencies included.
What should I do if the downloaded file is corrupted?
The full archive is 325.73 MB — make sure your download completed fully before extracting. Use 7-Zip to extract the files. If you still see a "file corrupted" error, re-download and try again.
Why should I run the game as administrator?
Right-click the game executable and select "Run as Administrator" to avoid save file issues and permission errors. This is especially important on the first launch.
How do I update my GPU drivers for this game?
The game won't launch — what should I try?
Try running in compatibility mode, install the latest DirectX runtime, or install the All-in-One VC Redist Package.
My antivirus is blocking the game — is it safe?
Antivirus false positives are common with pre-installed games. Temporarily pause your antivirus during extraction to prevent it from quarantining game files. You can re-enable it after the extraction completes.